CVE-2019-15420 in BV9000Pro-F
Summary
by MITRE
The Blackview BV9000Pro-F Android device with a build fingerprint of Blackview/BV9000Pro-F/BV9000Pro-F:7.1.1/N4F26M/1514363110:user/release-keys contains a pre-installed app with a package name of com.mediatek.factorymode app (versionCode=1, versionName=1) that allows unauthorized wireless settings modification via a confused deputy attack. This capability can be accessed by any app co-located on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15420 affects the Blackview BV9000Pro-F Android device and represents a significant security flaw in the device's wireless configuration management system. This issue stems from a pre-installed application named com.mediatek.factorymode which operates with excessive privileges and lacks proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests through a confused deputy attack vector that allows any application co-located on the device to modify wireless settings without proper authorization, fundamentally compromising the device's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic confused deputy problem where the legitimate factory mode application fails to properly validate the identity of requesting applications. The com.mediatek.factorymode app operates with elevated privileges that should only be accessible through secure channels or proper authentication mechanisms, yet it accepts wireless configuration modifications from any application that can access its interface. This design flaw falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and weak authorization mechanisms in software systems. The vulnerability exploits the Android permission model by bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized modification of critical device settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized configuration changes and represents a serious threat to device security and user privacy. Any malicious application installed on the device can leverage this flaw to modify wireless settings including Wi-Fi configurations, Bluetooth parameters, and other network-related functions. This capability can enable various attack vectors such as network eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, or redirection of network traffic to malicious servers. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that remains active as long as the device is operational, making it particularly dangerous for users who may not be aware of the compromised application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from both device manufacturers and end users. Device manufacturers should implement proper permission validation and authentication mechanisms within the factory mode application, ensuring that only authorized applications can access sensitive configuration interfaces. The Android security model should be enhanced to prevent co-located applications from exploiting such privilege escalation vectors. Users should be advised to avoid installing untrusted applications and to regularly update their device firmware when patches become available. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which addresses local privilege escalation and T1546 which covers modification of system processes. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of proper code review and security testing of pre-installed applications, particularly those with elevated privileges that interact with core device functionality.